Sony, TSMC investing $6b in cameras for iPhone 29

Sony and TSMC re planning a $6.3 billion joint image sensor manufacturing venture in Japan, with Apple’s iPhone expected to be the big beneficiary, Nikkei reports.

Mass production scheduled for 2029

The two companies intend to begin mass production of next-generation image sensor chips in Kumamoto Prefecture, southwestern Japan, as early as 2029. It’s a 60/40 business in favor of Sony.

The joint venture is expected to supply high-performance camera sensors for Apple’s iPhone, the report notes. In the long term, the aim is to develop sensors suitable for more precise machine vision intelligence for use in things like robots and vehicles.

TrendForce says Sony controls over half of the global CMOS image sensor market, and while OmniVision and Samsung are investing aggressively to close that gap, the TSMC partnership gives Sony an edge.

You can follow me on social media! Join me on BlueSky,  LinkedIn, Mastodon and subscribe to The Core.